Historic Breakthrough: Indian-Born Cheetah Mukhi Delivers 5 Cubs at Kuno National Park

India-born cheetah Mukhi has successfully delivered five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, marking a significant achievement in wildlife conservation efforts.

Sheopur (MP):

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on Thursday that India-born cheetah Mukhi has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park, describing this event as a "historic milestone in Project Cheetah".

"A historic milestone has been achieved as Indian-born cheetah Mukhi has given birth to five cubs in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. The mother and cubs are doing well," Yadav shared in his post on X.

He emphasized that this development represents an "unprecedented" breakthrough for India's cheetah reintroduction program.

At 33 months of age, Mukhi holds the distinction of being the first Indian-born female cheetah to reproduce, making this a landmark achievement for Project Cheetah.

"The successful reproduction of an India-born cheetah is a strong indicator of the species' adaptation, health, and long-term prospects in Indian habitats," Yadav explained.

He added, "This significant step forward strengthens optimism about establishing a self-sustaining and genetically diverse cheetah population in India, further advancing the nation's conservation goals."

Cheetahs were reintroduced to India on September 17, 2022, several decades after their extinction in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight cheetahs—five females and three males—brought from Namibia into Kuno National Park, marking the first-ever intercontinental translocation of big cats.